MARTIN DUBRAVKA became the first Premier League goalkeeper to fall foul of the new rules over stoppers holding onto the ball too long.
The Burnley stopper was punished for taking an age to release it out of his hands inside four minutes against Spurs.
Martin Dubravka was the first goalkeeper to fall foul of the new Premier League rules
AlamyMicheal Oliver began counting down the seconds while Dubravka held the ball[/caption]
New regulations cite that goalies cannot hold the ball for any longer than eight seconds.
Slovakian Dubravka, making his Clarets debut following his switch from Newcastle, was deemed to have taken longer than that and ref Michael Oliver intervened.
The whistler awarded a corner, as is the new rule, which Burnley managed to clear.
Spurs took the lead six minutes later, as Richarlison converted a cross from new signing Mohammed Kudus.
The new rule is part of the PGMOL’s focus on cracking down on time wasting and maximising the amount of time the ball is in play.
Referees will decide when they deem the goalkeeper has control of the ball and then begin counting down from eight, raising their hands to show the goalkeeper their time is running out.
It is just one of a slew of changes to the way games will be refereed this season.
As well as the new goalkeeper rule, refs have also been told to punish holding in the box from free kicks and corners.
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Clubs and managers have been told that officials are putting a focus on diving and simulation this season too.
While all these new decisions will only be discussed with club captains following the implementation of a ‘captains only’ rule.
That means referees will discuss incidents with captains to avoid players mobbing referees when decisions go against them.
